Lana’s lips trembled once before she pressed them together. Her hands smoothed over her skirt, buying herself a breath. Then, in a voice low and firm, she said:
“If it hadn’t been for him, she’d be dead by now.”
The air thickened. My dragon growled softly, restless, but I stayed still, forcing myself to listen.
“Paiton…” Lana’s eyes turned distant, haunted. “She was a social butterfly. A cheeky girl, always chasing the sun, seeing rainbows even in the cloudiest days. But she resembled Katie too much. Brown hair, lightly curly. Green eyes, but brighter than hers.” Her voice wavered. “I knew the mad Alpha had… obsessions. Hated and loved brunettes with a passion. I warned her, so many times—never be alone in the pack house. Ever.”
She paused. Her throat worked as if the words themselves
